Neydja Petithomme: Player of the Year Class 5A-4A-3A-2A

Mike Stocker, Sun Sentinel

Neydja Petithomme Grandview Prep sophomore Pos.: Guard; Ht. 5-8 Season highlights: Transferred from American Heritage-Delray and made immediate impact by leading Pride (23-5) on deepest run in school history by advancing to Class 2A state tournament. HOW DID THEY FINISH?Was a Boo Williams Junior All-American, USA basketball U-16 trail participant for top players in the country and member of the Nike Skills Academy in Atlanta for top 60 girls in Southeastern region. Averaged 18.4 points, 5.2 assists, 6.3 steals and 3.9 rebounds per game. Achieved an 87 scout grade by ESPN Hoop Gurlz. Comment: Gym rat who displayed great anticipation and knack to get the ball. Kept pressure on opposing defenses with her willingness to drive to the basket. Interested colleges who have shown early interest include Duke, Florida, Miami, South Florida and North Carolina. "She has the quickest hands that I've ever seen," Grandview Prep coach Gary Downing said. Athlete's quote: "At the beginning of the season, we made it our goal to make it to states. Next year, we're going to work even harder to win it all. The first thought was that without my teammates and without my coach, it wouldn't be possible. Coach pushed me to become a better leader on the court and everybody else brought something special to the team whether it was enthusiasm or a skill. We were a young team and didn't have any seniors on the team. To make it that far was quite an accomplishment."

Neydja Petithomme Grandview Prep sophomore Pos.: Guard; Ht. 5-8 Season highlights: Transferred from American Heritage-Delray and made immediate impact by leading Pride (23-5) on deepest run in school history by advancing to Class 2A state tournament. HOW DID THEY FINISH?Was a Boo Williams Junior All-American, USA basketball U-16 trail participant for top players in the country and member of the Nike Skills Academy in Atlanta for top 60 girls in Southeastern region. Averaged 18.4 points, 5.2 assists, 6.3 steals and 3.9 rebounds per game. Achieved an 87 scout grade by ESPN Hoop Gurlz. Comment: Gym rat who displayed great anticipation and knack to get the ball. Kept pressure on opposing defenses with her willingness to drive to the basket. Interested colleges who have shown early interest include Duke, Florida, Miami, South Florida and North Carolina. "She has the quickest hands that I've ever seen," Grandview Prep coach Gary Downing said. Athlete's quote: "At the beginning of the season, we made it our goal to make it to states. Next year, we're going to work even harder to win it all. The first thought was that without my teammates and without my coach, it wouldn't be possible. Coach pushed me to become a better leader on the court and everybody else brought something special to the team whether it was enthusiasm or a skill. We were a young team and didn't have any seniors on the team. To make it that far was quite an accomplishment." (Mike Stocker, Sun Sentinel)

Neydja Petithomme Grandview Prep sophomore Pos.: Guard; Ht. 5-8 Season highlights: Transferred from American Heritage-Delray and made immediate impact by leading Pride (23-5) on deepest run in school history by advancing to Class 2A state tournament. HOW DID THEY FINISH?Was a Boo Williams Junior All-American, USA basketball U-16 trail participant for top players in the country and member of the Nike Skills Academy in Atlanta for top 60 girls in Southeastern region. Averaged 18.4 points, 5.2 assists, 6.3 steals and 3.9 rebounds per game. Achieved an 87 scout grade by ESPN Hoop Gurlz. Comment: Gym rat who displayed great anticipation and knack to get the ball. Kept pressure on opposing defenses with her willingness to drive to the basket. Interested colleges who have shown early interest include Duke, Florida, Miami, South Florida and North Carolina. "She has the quickest hands that I've ever seen," Grandview Prep coach Gary Downing said. Athlete's quote: "At the beginning of the season, we made it our goal to make it to states. Next year, we're going to work even harder to win it all. The first thought was that without my teammates and without my coach, it wouldn't be possible. Coach pushed me to become a better leader on the court and everybody else brought something special to the team whether it was enthusiasm or a skill. We were a young team and didn't have any seniors on the team. To make it that far was quite an accomplishment."